Lu Ming followed Zhong Taiyue to meet all the big shots, and then it was almost time for the birthday banquet to begin. Under Zhong Quan's guidance, Lu Ming arrived at the banquet and took his seat.
Lu Qingyan and Zhong Ying were also there.
" A-Ming, have you met the noble lady of the Zhao Clan?" Zhong Ying asked with great interest.
Before Lu Ming could speak, Lu Mengmeng said with a grin, "Sister Fuling is here."
Zhong Ying was taken aback, then couldn't help but chuckle, teasingly saying, "Oh, with Fuling here, isn't this fun game over before it even started?"
She was well aware of Zhou Fuling's exceptional beauty and temperament, and with the added aura of her special background, this noble lady from Fengyang Prefecture could only feel inferior in comparison.
With Zhou Fuling's appearance, Zhong Taiyue's plan would fall through. After all, Zhong Ying didn't believe he could find a girl of the same age who could outshine Zhou Fuling among the powerful families in Fengyang Prefecture.
Lu Ming said helplessly, "Senior Sister just came here with Master Zhou Xuan to celebrate his birthday and happened to run into him."
Zhong Ying chuckled softly and said, "Oh, what a coincidence!"
Lu Ming felt that she was being a bit sarcastic, so he could only roll his eyes and ignore her. At the same time, he felt a gaze coming from the banquet table opposite him. Following the gaze, he saw Zhou Fuling's graceful figure sitting in the seat next to Zhou Xuan.
To her left was Huo Qing.
Huo Qing was trying to strike up a conversation with Zhou Fuling, but she brushed it off lightly. The atmosphere wasn't too awkward, but it wasn't exactly comfortable either.
Judging from her slightly tense body, Lu Ming knew that this proud noble lady must be feeling somewhat impatient.
Then, Lu Ming received a distress signal from Zhou Fuling through her eyes.
Seeing this, Lu Ming, remembering the favor Zhou Fuling had done for him by lending her money, gave Lu Mengmeng a wink. The latter reluctantly put down her pastries and waved to Zhou Fuling, saying, "Sister Fuling!"
Hearing her call, Zhou Fuling had a pretext. She first gave Huo Qing an apologetic smile, then got up and went towards Lu Mengmeng.
Upon arriving, Zhou Fuling greeted Lu Qingyan and Zhong Ying. Then, she gave Lu Ming a knowing look, picked up Lu Mengmeng, and sat down at the banquet, playfully teasing the little girl with a doting expression.
The birthday banquet has begun, and the atmosphere is festive.
However, just as the atmosphere reached its peak, Lu Ming suddenly sensed a strange movement in the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth.
Almost simultaneously, a thunderous laugh, accompanied by an overwhelming pressure of Primordial Qi, swept directly towards the birthday banquet.
"Haha, Old Zhong, why didn't you send me an invitation to your birthday celebration? Are you looking down on my ' Blazing Radiance Hall '?"
Lu Ming looked up and saw that the distant sky was now showing signs of fiery clouds, as if rolling flames were sweeping across the sky, and the temperature between heaven and earth was rising accordingly. The next moment, the flames gathered in the sky above the banquet area.
An elderly man with fiery red hair appeared out of thin air. His eyes were bloodshot, as if burning with flames, and he looked down at Zhong Taiyue.
" Lü Huan, you've come uninvited. After all these years, your manners are still so low." Zhong Taiyue looked up at the fiery red-haired old man and spoke sarcastically.
"We've known each other for so many years, how could I not come to your birthday celebration? Besides, I've brought you your favorite birthday gift!" The red-haired old man named Lü Huan laughed loudly, his laughter like thunder.
Looking at the red-haired old man and feeling the terrifying power emanating from his body, Lu Ming realized that this must be the head of the " Blazing Radiance Hall," one of the five Fourth-Tier Divine Ability Hall in Fengyang Prefecture.
Just as Zhong Quan had predicted, they arrived.
" Lü Huan, we have many distinguished guests today, so don't come here to embarrass yourself," Zhong Taiyue sneered.
Lü Huan responded with a cold laugh, saying, "You old codger, how many embarrassing things did you do when I celebrated my birthday?"
Then he turned his gaze to Huo Shanhe and said, "Since Lord Huo is here as well, then consider it an old man's way of providing you with some entertainment."
Huo Shanhe looked helpless. He knew about the feud between the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall and the Blazing Radiance Hall. The conflict between the two families also stemmed from interests. In the mountains 400 miles away from Fengyang Prefecture City, there was a "Heavenly Gold Mine Vein" where Heavenly Gold Sand could be mined. Back then, in order to compete for this mine, the various forces in Fengyang City fought tooth and nail. In the end, the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall and the Blazing Radiance Hall had the last laugh and each occupied half of the mountain range.
For many years afterward, both sides mined the "Tianjin Mine" until the mine was eventually breached. The two sides, who had originally not interfered with each other, began to argue, and countless conflicts and confrontations broke out.
Even the two Nether Spirit Master Netherworld, Zhong Taiyue and Lü Huan, fought fiercely several times, causing the earth to shake.
Such incidents occur every few years and are almost impossible to stop.
Therefore, Huo Shanhe understood that even if he stepped in now, he could not persuade Lü Huan to back down. After all, as he said, Zhong Taiyue had done something similar before, even sending a coffin to his birthday banquet. Even if Huo Shanhe was the prefect of Fengyang Prefecture, he could do nothing about such grudges.
Huo Shanhe whispered a few words to Zhou Xuan beside him, indicating that he didn't need to worry about it.
Zhou Xuan remained calm upon hearing this, showing no surprise. He merely glanced at Lu Ming, knowing full well that the Thunderfire Hall had just annexed the Golden Gang Sword Hall in his Qingyuan Market.
The other factions present seemed unfazed, showing no panic whatsoever, but rather an air of anticipation as if a good show was about to unfold.
A fierce look flashed across Zhong Taiyue's aged face. He knew his opponent wouldn't give up so easily, and he immediately sneered, "Bring on whatever tricks you have. Even if you, old man, want a duel with me, I'll grant your wish."
"Do you think I'm afraid of you? But before that, you should still follow the old rules and accept the birthday gift I sent!"
Lü Huan waved his hand, and the next moment, five figures leaped over. They were five young men dressed in fiery red robes, each radiating powerful Primordial Qi fluctuations and exuding arrogance.
What's most striking is that the five men are carrying a huge iron box.
Lü Huan exhaled a wisp of crimson fire, which swept across and melted the iron box in front of everyone, instantly revealing its contents to the many birthday guests present.
This immediately drew gasps of astonishment from many onlookers.
Because inside that iron box was a towering golden bell, several meters tall!
The congratulatory gift that Lü Huan sent was actually a clock!
Sending off the clock! Sending off the deceased!
The disciples of the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall present were enraged and stood up, their eyes flashing with cold light and killing intent as they stared at the five young figures carrying the golden bell.
"Hahaha, Zhong Taiyue, do you like this gift? Isn't your Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall most fond of playing with clocks? Isn't it most appropriate for me to give you a clock?" Lü Huan laughed heartily, extremely pleased.
Zhong Taiyue remained expressionless and calm, simply saying, "Old man, you're celebrating too soon. I'm afraid you won't be able to deliver this birthday gift."
" Zhong Quan, Qiu Chu."
Zhong Taiyue spoke slowly.
"Here!" Zhong Quan and Qiu Chu, who were seated at the table, immediately stood up, their faces filled with murderous intent.
"Bringing three of your most outstanding young disciples to this birthday celebration is a gift I don't like, so don't let it end up at my birthday banquet. Can you do that?" Zhong Taiyue spoke calmly, but anyone could sense the raging inferno beneath that calm.
"Yes!"
Zhong Quan and Qiu Chu responded in deep voices.
They knew that if the golden bell fell during the birthday banquet, it would be a slap in the face to the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall.
In Zhong Taiyue and the entire Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall will lose face and become a laughing stock in Fengyang Prefecture.